Big cities face growing challenges related to air quality, climate change and the influence it has on people’s lives, but also the growing need to reinvent green spaces for recreation. It is no longer enough for green spaces to be designated merely aesthetic, they have a multiple role – they must represent relevant solutions for members of a community.

Public health benefits of green spaces

Studies show that access to urban parks and gardens reduces stress levels, lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and increases quality of life. Plants help reduce pollution and increase oxygen levels in the air, as well as helping to regulate emotions, build community and thus support mental, not just physical, health.

Reducing pollution and environmental impact

It is already a known fact that green areas with mature trees are natural filters: they absorb carbon dioxide, helping to significantly reduce pollution and the greenhouse effect. Urban vegetation also plays an important role in reducing heat islands and regulating ambient temperatures. Summer temperature differences between a treeless and a tree-shaded street can be as much as 7-8 degrees Celsius. Imagine what a whole park can do.

Social spaces and closer-knit communities

In addition to the beneficial thermal effects, landscaped vegetated areas such as parks and public gardens provide places for recreation and connection, helping to develop a sense of community. Whether they are seen as places of interaction and meeting or as places of refuge, these green spaces are essential for the mental and physical wellbeing of residents.

Increasing real estate values and economic development

Neighborhoods with well-developed green spaces are more attractive to investors and residents, precisely because of the increased quality of life. Proximity to a park can increase property values by up to 20%. Green space means disconnection, it means socializing and, last but not least, it means community. Quality of life is not only sustained by how we live, but also by where we live. And freedom of movement, safety and proximity to public green spaces contribute significantly to the value of a property.

The role of authorities in creating green cities

Local governments are increasingly involved in the sustainable development of public green spaces, through the implementation of policies for the expansion of these spaces and through collaborations with specialized partners such as Eco Garden Construct. Projects with public and private contributions can make a significant contribution to urban regeneration and to the quality of life of all members of a community. One such project that we can always come back to is the Feroviarilor Park in Cluj-Napoca – one of the parks that we also maintain.

Railwaymen’s Park – a park to unite a community

A well-known project, completed in 2024, that emphasized biodiversity and sustainability – by planting 510 trees and more than 30,000 native, small-scale vegetation as well as upgrading the lighting system with energy-efficient LED technology. Together with our specialists, we have identified the needs of the community and redesigned a park for all ages to enjoy: walkways for pedestrians and cyclists, amphitheaters for debates and collective actions, artificial lakes with modern and diverse urban furniture to meet all needs, dynamic playgrounds for children, classified by age and interest, various recreation areas, as well as easy access to the banks of the Someș.

As specialists in landscaping and maintenance of green spaces, we have always considered that investing in green spaces is not just an aesthetic necessity, but a fundamental strategy for the development of modern cities. We look for innovative, yet sustainable solutions that help cities become cleaner, more environmentally friendly and welcoming to their communities.